United States of America: Legal Intern (Paid)

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

Position Description:

Position: Legal Intern
Division: Center for Applied Research and Learning, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Location:** Arlington, VA

About IFES: The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) supports citizens’ right to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions.

As a global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by:

• Providing technical assistance to election officials
• Empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process
• Applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle

Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries, from developing democracies to mature democracies.

Project Description*:*

With elections worldwide becoming more litigious, there is rising pressure on election management bodies (EMBs), tribunals, and courts to resolve politically charged disputes and avoid destabilization of political transitions. With a view to strengthening election dispute resolution systems, IFES is conducting a research project examining open justice mechanisms and comparative electoral jurisprudence. The project will develop a set of case studies and a compendium of case law on specific categories of electoral disputes. IFES undertakes a variety of additional legal research projects that require support, including research on election prosecutions, anti-corruption and the abuse of state resources, and electoral legal frameworks.

IFES is open to receiving applications for a summer internship, post-graduation/pre-bar internship, or part-time internship over the longer-term. Job Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

The Electoral Law and Justice Legal Intern will support the IFES legal research portfolio through substantive legal research, writing and limited project management. This will include IFES’ research on electoral justice, election dispute resolution, comparative electoral jurisprudence, election prosecutions, anti-corruption and the abuse of state resources, and electoral legal frameworks. Specific tasks include:

• Provide legal research, writing, and editing support including research assistance for specialists/expert writers;
• Conduct comparative research and draft text on specific aspects of electoral justice, election dispute resolution, and other research topics;
• Assist with collecting and analyzing comparative electoral jurisprudence;
• Maintain research project files and records; and

• Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications: Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, international affairs, or relevant area;

• 2L, 3L, or recent law school graduate;

• Extensive research and writing experience;

• Familiar with the Bluebook citation system;

• Experience in the area of elections and political processes is a plus;

• Experience with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint required; and

• Foreign language skills a plus.

Successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

• Self-motivated;
• Detailed oriented and organized;
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing; and
• Collaborative, team oriented individual. Applying:

Please apply with your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample.

careers@ifes.org